Blue Mountain Christian Retreat - New Ringgold, PA
The Blue Mountain Christian Retreat is a very special place to me. On the early morning of November 18, 2010, there was a horrible fire that destroyed the center's main building. Thankfully, no one was hurt. This blog was created to document the re-building process for those who love the Retreat and want to keep informed about what is going on there. He will make all things new. Please feel free to sign the Guestbook at the bottom of this page. You can navigate the pages under the picture at the top of the page.
If you would like to make a donation towards the rebuilding of this wonderful, family-oriented retreat, it would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to Blue Mountain Christian Retreat and mailed to: 1 Christian Lane New Ringgold, PA 17960-earmarked for "Rebuilding". You can also visit their website at http://bmcr.org/.
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...
He has made everything beautiful in its time."
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-12.
If you would like to make a donation towards the rebuilding of this wonderful, family-oriented retreat, it would be greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to Blue Mountain Christian Retreat and mailed to: 1 Christian Lane New Ringgold, PA 17960-earmarked for "Rebuilding". You can also visit their website at http://bmcr.org/.
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...
He has made everything beautiful in its time."
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-12.
November 18, 2010
November 22, 2010
A different view of the mountain
My name is Trina Schellhammer, and I am what you would call a 'local' of the Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center. My husband's family has been attending services at the Retreat since it was built. I got saved in 1993, and have been attending ever since. This blog is something I felt the Lord put on my heart to do to document the rebuilding of the Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center. It is my way to focus on the positive that can come out of such a devastating event. I named it "Beauty Will Rise" because that is what I heard in my heart immediately after realizing that the Retreat as I know it was gone - "Out of the Ashes, Beauty Will Rise" (Isa 61). There are so many people who love the Retreat as much as we do, and I want to help them to see what was going on at the Mountain. I will update this blog as the work progresses, so be sure to check back frequently. Please continue to keep BMCR in your prayers as decisions are made and work begins. This is the story of a new beginning, and I so look forward to seeing what God has planned.
When we got word that the Retreat suffered a fire, my husband and I could not believe it was OUR Retreat that had burned. I honestly imagined a kitchen fire. When we saw the photos of the burning building on the news, our hearts sank. I wanted to document just how bad it really was, and would like to thank Larry Neff who was on the scene that night and provided me the pictures of this very angry-looking fire. They truly express how violent this thing was. I also wanted to express my deepest appreciation to the local fire companies who responded to the fire.
Even though we only live 5 minutes away, it took me 4 days to even think about visiting our 'home' on the mountain to see if it was actually true. We felt that we not only lost a place we frequently went to worship, but our own home. Our friends that worked on the mountain were closer than family to us, and our hearts were broken.
The picture above is the one I took coming up the hill to the Retreat Center for the first time after the fire. It was such a peaceful setting, but was very obvious that something was missing. The view will never be the same. I was almost afraid to continue to ascend up the hill.
When we got word that the Retreat suffered a fire, my husband and I could not believe it was OUR Retreat that had burned. I honestly imagined a kitchen fire. When we saw the photos of the burning building on the news, our hearts sank. I wanted to document just how bad it really was, and would like to thank Larry Neff who was on the scene that night and provided me the pictures of this very angry-looking fire. They truly express how violent this thing was. I also wanted to express my deepest appreciation to the local fire companies who responded to the fire.
Even though we only live 5 minutes away, it took me 4 days to even think about visiting our 'home' on the mountain to see if it was actually true. We felt that we not only lost a place we frequently went to worship, but our own home. Our friends that worked on the mountain were closer than family to us, and our hearts were broken.
The picture above is the one I took coming up the hill to the Retreat Center for the first time after the fire. It was such a peaceful setting, but was very obvious that something was missing. The view will never be the same. I was almost afraid to continue to ascend up the hill.
The flag is still flying, but the main building was a total loss
There really wasn't much left to see. As the news reported, it had burned down to the ground. The main building had been a total loss, and the reality of it all began to settle in. Notice the flag still stood right next to the charred remains, seemingly untouched.
The walkway to the sanctuary
Something else had also somehow survived the fire. The cross made from rocks and flowers still greeted me where I used to walk up into the sanctuary. It was almost surreal to see the cross in front of the building's charred remains. God had certainly protected this memorial of Who we come to worship. Although the building itself is gone, His Spirit is still mighty on this mountain. His faithfulness remains true. He will make all things new.
Typically we would see this beautiful view from the windows on the inside of the sanctuary.
Notice the how close the Fireside building was to the devastation.
The siding was melted from the heat.
How many times have I walked these sidewalks looking for my kids after the service.
The benches & tables in front of the snack bar actually survived the fire.
Walkway between the main building and the bookstore
Praise God that the building (that is ironically called Fireside) that housed the bookstore had been saved, although how I do not know. Yet another blessing to see God's hand had somehow protected it.
Temporary office set up
The office staff is temporarily using the room across from the bookstore. There's so much work in trying to piece back together everything that was lost. Please keep the staff in your prayers. They certainly need them!
The offices will soon be temporarily moved into the building next door until the construction is completed.
The offices will soon be temporarily moved into the building next door until the construction is completed.
If you'd like to contact me directly, my e-mail is [email protected] ~Trina